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106
Foster, already quieted by a visit from the
Democrats earlier in the month, wrote
Sprunt that he was unhappy to see that the
businessmen did not select legislative
candidates favorable to the Republicans but,
instead, “ practically turned it over to the
political machine” which [ he believed had] a
majority in [ Sprunt’s] joint committee.”
The joint committee Foster mentioned was
that of the Democratic Party Campaign
Committee and the Merchant’s Association.
Foster continued that he was “ the first and
strongest advocate of … putting out no
ticket in consideration of the business
interest of the city, and the elimination of
any possible race conflict” and “ in
consideration of the Governor’s generous
proposition I trust that you, as the
representative of the businessmen will see
that no one is nominated who is as
politically offensive to the Governor as the
regular nominees were.” Foster concluded,
“[ T] his is only a reasonable request in
consideration of what we are giving up.” 33
Furthering the tensions, the
Democrats did not completely comply with
the compromise, and additional discussion
between Russell and Sprunt focused on the
militant nature of the city’s armed whites.
Russell sent a telegram four days before the
election: “ Am astonished to hear that
merchants refuse to aid in preserving order
if appeal is made to Republicans to vote . . .
You know the agreement. I appeal to you
and all conservative men to enforce it.”
Sprunt ignored the increasing numbers of
guns on the streets as he replied that he
“ conferred with several leaders and
businessmen and so far as we are aware
there has been no agreement understanding
“ Memorandum;” Peter Mallett Papers, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; McDuffie, “ Politics in
Wilmington,” 615.
33 Flavel Foster to James Sprunt, October 30, 1898,
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham.
or effort looking towards the use of any
force or other disorderly methods of
obstructing voters.” Sprunt closed the
telegram with a promise to call his
committee and send further communication
the following day. The next morning Sprunt
wired Russell again that the “ Merchants and
Campaign Committee will carry out
agreement in good faith” although he
indicated that other groups beyond his
control were operating in the city. 34
Governor Russell issued a
proclamation at the end of October in
response to the heightened sense of
militancy. The proclamation acknowledged
“ lawlessness in certain counties in this state .
. . lying along the southern border of this
state have been actually invaded by certain
armed and lawless men from anther state”
and that “ citizens have been taken from their
homes at night and whipped.” Further,
Russell knew that “ in several counties
peaceful citizens have been intimidated and
terrorized by threats of violence to their
persons and their property, until they are
afraid to register themselves preparatory to
exercising that highest duty of freemen— the
casting of one free vote at a ballot box for
men of their own choice.” Russell cautioned
34 Some of those groups were possibly Populists and
independent Republicans. Although no county ticket
was mounted, Fusionists still lobbied Wilmington
voters on behalf of their candidates for statewide and
congressional seats. Printed circulars were
distributed in the city to encourage “ every man who
is opposed to the Democratic machine” to vote for
men such as Oliver Dockery, Fusionist congressional
candidate. Wilmington Messenger, November 3 - 5,
1898; Morning Star, ( Wilmington), November 3 - 5 ,
1898; McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 651;
Governor Russell to James Sprunt, November 4,
1898, Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham, 9: 15 pm; James Sprunt
to Governor Russell, November 4, 1898, 10: 30 pm,
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham; James Sprunt etal to
Governor Russell, November 5, 1898, Alexander
Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke University
Library, Durham .

106
Foster, already quieted by a visit from the
Democrats earlier in the month, wrote
Sprunt that he was unhappy to see that the
businessmen did not select legislative
candidates favorable to the Republicans but,
instead, “ practically turned it over to the
political machine” which [ he believed had] a
majority in [ Sprunt’s] joint committee.”
The joint committee Foster mentioned was
that of the Democratic Party Campaign
Committee and the Merchant’s Association.
Foster continued that he was “ the first and
strongest advocate of … putting out no
ticket in consideration of the business
interest of the city, and the elimination of
any possible race conflict” and “ in
consideration of the Governor’s generous
proposition I trust that you, as the
representative of the businessmen will see
that no one is nominated who is as
politically offensive to the Governor as the
regular nominees were.” Foster concluded,
“[ T] his is only a reasonable request in
consideration of what we are giving up.” 33
Furthering the tensions, the
Democrats did not completely comply with
the compromise, and additional discussion
between Russell and Sprunt focused on the
militant nature of the city’s armed whites.
Russell sent a telegram four days before the
election: “ Am astonished to hear that
merchants refuse to aid in preserving order
if appeal is made to Republicans to vote . . .
You know the agreement. I appeal to you
and all conservative men to enforce it.”
Sprunt ignored the increasing numbers of
guns on the streets as he replied that he
“ conferred with several leaders and
businessmen and so far as we are aware
there has been no agreement understanding
“ Memorandum;” Peter Mallett Papers, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill; McDuffie, “ Politics in
Wilmington,” 615.
33 Flavel Foster to James Sprunt, October 30, 1898,
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham.
or effort looking towards the use of any
force or other disorderly methods of
obstructing voters.” Sprunt closed the
telegram with a promise to call his
committee and send further communication
the following day. The next morning Sprunt
wired Russell again that the “ Merchants and
Campaign Committee will carry out
agreement in good faith” although he
indicated that other groups beyond his
control were operating in the city. 34
Governor Russell issued a
proclamation at the end of October in
response to the heightened sense of
militancy. The proclamation acknowledged
“ lawlessness in certain counties in this state .
. . lying along the southern border of this
state have been actually invaded by certain
armed and lawless men from anther state”
and that “ citizens have been taken from their
homes at night and whipped.” Further,
Russell knew that “ in several counties
peaceful citizens have been intimidated and
terrorized by threats of violence to their
persons and their property, until they are
afraid to register themselves preparatory to
exercising that highest duty of freemen— the
casting of one free vote at a ballot box for
men of their own choice.” Russell cautioned
34 Some of those groups were possibly Populists and
independent Republicans. Although no county ticket
was mounted, Fusionists still lobbied Wilmington
voters on behalf of their candidates for statewide and
congressional seats. Printed circulars were
distributed in the city to encourage “ every man who
is opposed to the Democratic machine” to vote for
men such as Oliver Dockery, Fusionist congressional
candidate. Wilmington Messenger, November 3 - 5,
1898; Morning Star, ( Wilmington), November 3 - 5 ,
1898; McDuffie, “ Politics in Wilmington,” 651;
Governor Russell to James Sprunt, November 4,
1898, Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham, 9: 15 pm; James Sprunt
to Governor Russell, November 4, 1898, 10: 30 pm,
Alexander Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke
University Library, Durham; James Sprunt etal to
Governor Russell, November 5, 1898, Alexander
Sprunt and Son, Inc. Papers, Duke University
Library, Durham .